Lights, camera, action: Cape Town approves R900m film set lease

The City of Cape Town has announced the approval of a groundbreaking R900m lease agreement for a prime city-owned property in Paardevlei, Somerset West.

The lease paves the way for the development of a state-of-the-art film set and studio facility, positioning the region as a hub for international film production.

The approval will see Cape Point Film Studios (CPFS) transform existing buildings on the site into a fully functional, world-class film studio, meeting the highest international standards.

After a site visit, mayoral committee member for economic growth James Vos said: “We are thrilled to see this agreement come to fruition, and I am confident that it will be a major catalyst for Cape Town’s creative economy. This lease has the potential to create hundreds of jobs, generate nearly a billion rand for the local economy, and boost tourism to our city. The creative economy is one of the top-performing sectors in Cape Town, and this project will significantly contribute to its expansion,” said Vos.

The initial phase of the project involves converting existing structures into quality film studio facilities. Once complete, CPFS plans to expand the site further, including the construction of a sea and underwater sound stage production precinct.

That will cater to the growing demand for specialised filming environments, particularly because once this development is completed and is operating successfully, their plan is to develop a sea and underwater sound stage production precinct.

Director of Cape Point Film Studios, Henry Herring expressed his gratitude to the city for its support.

“We thank the City of Cape Town for taking this journey with us. As practitioners in the film industry, we know first-hand how fast the content and filmmaking landscape is evolving. The need for world-class sound stages is crucial to support this growth, helping filmmakers tell their stories while contributing to the sustainable expansion of the film sector,” said Herring.

He highlighted the economic impact of the project, noting that the film industry has a proven multiplier effect on the economy, creating substantial jobs and opportunities in related sectors.

“This is not just an investment in the film industry, but in the broader creative economy of SA and the African continent,” said Herring.

According to a study by South African Tourism and Netflix, more than 80 South African films and television series were available on Netflix by December 2020, with viewers in countries such as Canada, France, the UK, Brazil, the US, and Germany being 3.1 times more likely to visit SA after watching local content.

This international attention underscores the importance of infrastructure investments such as the Paardevlei film studio in attracting global productions.

Vos emphasised the broader economic impact of the film industry in SA, citing the South African Cultural Observatory's 2022 study which showed that the cultural and creative industries contributed R161bn to the country's GDP in 2020.

The approval of the Paardevlei film studio lease aligns with Cape Town’s efforts to tap into this growing sector and solidify its status as a premier destination for both local and international film productions.

“This project will not only enhance Cape Town’s standing as a leading creative hub but also position it as a destination of choice for filmmakers from across the globe,” said Vos.

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